What is HPV?
In Flanders, 350 women get cervical cancer every year. This cancer is caused by a virus: human papillomavirus or HPV.
The virus is transmitted through sexual contact and is highly contagious. Most women and men have already been infected with HPV. Maybe you too. Without knowing it. Often, this is not a problem, as your body usually overcomes the virus itself.
From virus to cervical cancer
But is the infection lingering in your body? If so, it could create abnormal cells. That will not mean that you have cancer. Your GP can easily treat those abnormal cells.
What if the number of abnormal cells is growing? And you don't get them treated? If so, they could grow into a pre-stage of cervical cancer. That still won't mean that you have cancer. Your GP can help you with simple treatment.
What if you still don't get the pre-stage of cervical cancer treated? If so, the number of abnormal cells will continue to grow. And you could get cervical cancer.
Responding quickly is important
So cervical cancer usually grows very slowly. It may take as long as 10 to 15 years. We can still do a lot before the virus causes cancer. And the sooner we respond, the easier the treatment.
A smear test
A smear shows if there are any abnormal cells at all. And can detect the virus. Have a smear test taken at your GP or your gynaecologist. With a swab, the doctor takes cells from the cervix. These go to the lab for testing. This allows us to find the virus and abnormal cells even before they become cancerous.
NB
Have you been vaccinated against HPV? Even so, you should still get tested.
More information?
Here we provide more information about cervical cancer and about Population Screening for cervical cancer which started in June 2013.